Collapsible Container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container includes a compressive wall and a base. The base includes a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference, and the base is also made of a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall. The compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base via the retaining ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU2007/001163, filed Aug. 17, 2007, and entitled “Collapsible Container,” the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a collapsible container such as a bowl, plate or mug.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

Collapsible bowls have commonly been made of a silicon-based material. While this provides the resilience and flexibility required to allow such bowls to be collapsible, these same attributes can result in the base of the bowl losing its structural shape. This impedes the stability of the container when being carried or handled, especially when the container is full. Furthermore, such materials are generally prone to damage when metal eating utensils are used to eat food served thereon.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate or reduce, at least in part, the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning “including, but not limited to”.

In accordance with the present invention, there is a collapsible container comprising:

-   -   a compressive wall; and     -   a base having a retaining ring extending from at least a portion         of its circumference;     -   where, the base is made of a hardened material compared to the         material making up the compressive wall and the compressive wall         is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base         by way of the retaining ring.

The base may be made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow handling and carrying of contents. In other arrangements, the base may be made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow eating utensils to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity. Ideally, the base is made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow small knives to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity. The compressive wall may be made from a silicon-derived material.

The compressive wall preferably consists of a series of linked layers. In a preferred form, each linked layer has a shape substantially similar to a parallelogram in cross section. This allows the compressive wall to expand and collapse with ease.

The retaining ring may have a plurality of apertures provided therein and the compressive wall is retained to the base by a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom being received on at least a one-to-one basis in the plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the retaining ring has a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom and the compressive wall is retained to the base by a receiving the plurality of retaining lugs in a plurality of apertures provided therein on at least a one-to-one basis. It is further preferred that the retaining ring extend around the complete circumference of the base.

An overlaying layer may be applied to the retaining lugs, as received within the apertures, to provide additional strength to the join between base and compressive wall.

A top strengthening ring is provided at the end of the compressive wall not connected to the base. Additional strengthening rings may be provided in the compressive wall between the base and the top strengthening ring. Such additional strengthening rings are preferably provided between pairs of linked layers.

The top strengthening ring can be adapted to allow a lid to be connected thereto. A handle may also be incorporated to extend from the base to the top strengthening ring to facilitate carrying of the container. To retain compactness of the container, the handle is ideally adapted to be recessed into the base when not in use. To prevent loss of the handle, the handle may also be hingedly connected to the base.

The collapsible wall may be arranged to expand in a manner that the diameter of each successive layer is smaller than that of its preceding layer the further the layer is from the base.

The interior side of the collapsible wall can be labelled with a series of indicators and the volumetric capacity of the container at such indicators. As an additional feature, the container may also include feet made from a non-skid material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a collapsible bowl according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the collapsible bowl shown in FIG. 1 in its collapsed state.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of a portion of the collapsible bowl shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is a collapsible bowl 10. The collapsible bowl 10 comprises a base 12 and a compressive wall 14.

The base 12 is made from a nylon material to a hardness suitable for small knives to be used thereon without damaging the structural integrity of the base. The base 12 is circular. Protruding from the base is a retaining ring 17. The retaining ring 17 has a plurality of apertures 18 disposed about its circumference.

The compressive wall 14 is frustoconical in its uncompressed state. In this uncompressed state, the diameter of one open end of the compressive wall 14 is of substantially equal size to the diameter to the base 12. The compressive wall 14 is made of a silicon-derived material.

The compressive wall 14 consists of a series of layers 20. Each layer 20 is shaped like a cross-sectional shape similar to a parallelogram as shown in FIG. 3. The layers 20 are linked to each other.

The layer 20 to which the base 12 is to be attached has a series of retaining lugs 22 disposed about its circumference. Each retaining lug 22 is adapted to be received within an aperture 18.

To prevent disassociation of the base 12 from the compressive wall 14, an additional layer of silicon-based material overlays each retaining lug 22 received within an aperture 18. Thus, the retaining ring 17 is received within the first layer 20 in a tongue and groove configuration.

In use, the collapsible bowl 10 is provided in its collapsed state as shown in FIG. 3 to facilitate easy storage. In this position, the side of the base 12 opposing the collapsible wall 14 may be used as a chopping board.

To convert the collapsible bowl 10 into a container, layer 20 d is gripped and pulled in the direction illustrated by arrow A in FIG. 1. Pulling layer 20 d in this direction causes layer 20 c to rotate about its connection to layer 20 b in the direction indicated by arrow B due to that layers 20 c own connection to layer 20 d. This continues until layers 20 b, 20 c and 20 d are in substantial alignment to each other. At this point, the height of the bowl is increased by an amount equal to the combined height of layers 20 c, 20 d.

This process can then be repeated for each new layer 20 until the compressible bowl 10 has reached its full uncompressed state or the user has uncompressed the bowl to their desired height.

To compress the bowl 10, the user pushes on layer 20 d of the compressive wall 14 in a direction opposite to that shown by arrow A. Because of the offset connection between layers 20 caused by their parallelogram shape, force applied in this direction forces layer 20 d to rotate about its connection with layer 20 c in the direction indicated by arrow C. This continues until layer 20 d abuts layer 20 c. Layer 20 c can then be folded in to also abut layer 20 b, and so on, if the material has not already facilitated such abutment.

This continues until each all layers 20 have been compressed to form a substantially flat bowl.

It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention:

-   -   To provide the collapsible bowl 10 with additional strength, the         top-most layer 20 of the collapsible bowl may be provided with a         strengthening ring. The strengthening ring is designed to assist         in preventing the silicon-based material of the top-most layer         from collapsing on one side only. The strengthening ring may         take the form of an embedded metal wire or ring made from the         same material as the base 12. Additionally, the strengthening         ring may be adapted to allow a lid to be securely fitted         thereover or otherwise connected thereto.     -   In a configuration where the strengthening ring allows for a lid         to be connected thereto, the lid may contain a vent to allow         heated air to escape therefrom. Alternatively, where the         collapsible container is used to hold liquids, the lid may have         a dispensing means, such as a sipper, provided therein to         facilitate dispensing of the liquid.     -   The collapsible bowl may be provided with additional         strengthening rings. Such additional strengthening rings may         assist in preventing the silicon-based material of intervening         layers 20 form collapsing on one side only.     -   The respective layers 20 of the collapsible bowl may be labelled         on the interior wall with details of the volume capacity of the         bowl at that layer 20 in its uncompressed state. To elaborate,         if the first layer 20 has a measurement capacity of 100 ml, if         the bowl 10 is subsequently filled with a liquid to the level of         the top of the first layer 20, the amount of liquid within the         bowl 10 should equate to approximately 100 ml.     -   While the invention has been described in the context of a         collapsible bowl, the same principles can be applied to form a         collapsible plate and/or a collapsible mug or any other form of         container.     -   Where the present invention is modified to form a collapsible         mug, it is preferred that a strengthening ring be provided in         respect of the top-most layer 20. The provision of the         strengthening ring in the top-most layer then allows for a         handle to be fitted to the mug. To ensure that the addition of         the handle does not detract from the otherwise compact nature of         the compressible mug, the handle may be recessed in the base 12         of the mug. Ideally, the recessed handle may be hingedly         connected to the base 12 such that rotation of the handle about         the hinge essentially places the handle in a position to be         connected to the top-most layer of the mug.     -   The concertinaed arrangement of the collapsible wall may be         inverted such that in an uncompressed state, the diameter of         each layer 20 of the compressive wall 14 so uncompressed         decreases rather than increases as described above. This         arrangement is particularly suited to liquid containers where         the decreasing diameter provides additional containment of the         liquid.     -   The base 12 may be provided with feet that extend from the         opposing side to the compressive wall 14. The feet may take the         form of rubberised patches or protrusions made from a non-skid         material. Alternatively, the feet may take the form of one         portion of a hook and eye securing devices such as that made         under the trade name Velcro™.     -   The retaining lug 22 and aperture 18 arrangement described above         may be reversed such that the retaining lugs 22 are provided in         the retaining ring 17 and the apertures 18 provided in the         compressive wall 14.     -   The base 12 may be made of any suitably hardened material         relative to the compressive wall 14. Ideally, the material is         sufficiently hardened to allow eating utensils and/or knives to         be used thereon without substantially affecting the structural         integrity of the base 12.

Furthermore, the features described in the above embodiments and the additional features mentioned above may be combined to form yet additional embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A collapsible container comprising: a compressive wall; and a base having a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference; wherein the base comprises a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall and the compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base by way of the retaining ring, the retaining ring includes a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom, the compressive wall is retained to the base by receiving the plurality of retaining lugs in a plurality of apertures provided therein on at least a one-to-one basis, and an overlaying layer is applied to the retaining lugs, as received within the apertures, to provide additional strength to the join between the base and compressive wall.
 2. A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein a top strengthening ring is provided at the end of the compressive wall not connected to the base.
 3. A collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein at least one additional strengthening ring is provided in the compressive wall between the base and the top strengthening ring.
 4. A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the base is made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow small knives to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity.
 5. A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the compressive wall consists of a series of linked layers.
 6. A collapsible container according to claim 5, wherein each linked layer has a shape substantially similar to a parallelogram in cross section.
 7. A collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein the top strengthening ring is adapted to allow a lid to be connected thereto.
 8. A collapsible container according to claim 2, further including a handle, the handle being adapted to extend from the base to the top strengthening ring to facilitate carrying of the container.
 9. A collapsible container according to claim 8, wherein the handle is adapted to be recessed into the base when not in use.
 10. A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the interior side of the collapsible wall is labelled with a series of indicators and the volumetric capacity of the container at such indicators.
 11. A collapsible container according to claim 1, further including feet made from a non-skid material.
 12. A collapsible container comprising: a compressive wall; and a base having a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference; wherein the base comprises a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall and the compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base by way of the retaining ring, the retaining ring includes a plurality of apertures provided therein, the compressive wall is retained to the base by a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom being received on at least a one-to-one basis in the plurality of apertures, and an overlaying layer is applied to the retaining lugs, as received within the apertures, to provide additional strength to the join between the base and compressive wall.
 13. A collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein a top strengthening ring is provided at the end of the compressive wall not connected to the base.
 14. A collapsible container according to claim 13, wherein at least one additional strengthening ring is provided in the compressive wall between the base and the top strengthening ring.
 15. A collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein the base is made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow small knives to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity.
 16. A collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein the compressive wall consists of a series of linked layers.
 17. A collapsible container according to claim 16, wherein each linked layer has a shape substantially similar to a parallelogram in cross section.
 18. A collapsible container according to claim 13, wherein the top strengthening ring is adapted to allow a lid to be connected thereto.
 19. A collapsible container according to claim 13 further including a handle, the handle being adapted to extend from the base to the top strengthening ring to facilitate carrying of the container.
 20. A collapsible container according to claim 19, wherein the handle is adapted to be recessed into the base when not in use.
 21. A collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein the interior side of the collapsible wall is labelled with a series of indicators and the volumetric capacity of the container at such indicators.
 22. A collapsible container according to claim 12, further including feet made from a non-skid material. 